In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education found 21% of high schools did not have a counselor. The department also noted 1.6 million students were enrolled in schools with sworn police officers, but no counselor. An ACLU analysis of the more recent federal data found over 1.7 million students are now impacted by this crisis, and nearly 400,000 of them are in California. The recent wave of tragic school shootings has increased calls for police in schools. This session explores California data indicating the prioritization of law enforcement over staff supporting the social, emotional, or behavioral needs of students from a civil rights framework.
